<em>There was great commonality among the libraries on usage of current bandwidth. This needs to be compared with what they would offer and what they cannot now offer. At least one library is offering each of these but not all libraries are offering all of them. This is just a representative sample of what is being offered now.</em><br/>

<em>There was great commonality among the libraries on usage of current bandwidth. This needs to be compared with what they would offer and what they cannot now offer. At least one library is offering each of these but not all libraries are offering all of them. This is just a representative sample of what is being offered now.</em><br/>

|Internet||General searching<br/>E-mail<br/>Social networks such as<br/>Utube, games<br/>MySpace, Facebook<br/>Audio-visual downloads||Same plus blogs||Same<br/><em>“People come to the library to get high speed access even if they have it at home.”</em>

+

|-

+

|Training||Video-conferencing<br/>Info-people training<br/>Distance learning||Same||Same<br/> <em>“People come to learn how to use technology and then continue to use at the library.”</em>

|Resources||E-books<br/>E-government (<em>government is putting more online and less in print.<br/>Public libraries have to supply the information</em>.)<br/>Remote access to catalog<br/>Remote access to databases<br/>Online job applications<br/>GIS||Same||Same

+

|-

+

|Wireless||Wireless||Same||Same

+

|-

+

|Broadcast/Podcast||Podcasts||||

+

|-

+

|}

Revision as of 23:38, 17 March 2007

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION GATHERED IN FOCUS GROUPS

Overall Caveat: This table provides a very brief summary of the information gathered from the focus groups. For a complete picture, the full focus group report should be read. This table is designed to provide key information to allow some comparison among states. The questions are presented here in a more logical order than they were originally asked. The original focus groups report are in a slightly different order. Actual quotes from the focus groups are included when they seem pertinet.

Describe your current network? How is it configured? How much bandwidth do you have? How do you get it? What does it cost? How is it funded? Is it scalable?

Caveat for Question 1: Both Missouri and Ohio have robust statewide networks with T-1 to every main library (Ohio) and T-1 to every main library and branch (Missouri) assuming the telecom or cable industry can provide it. For these states, the focus groups are probably highly representative of all the libraries in the state. This cannot be said of California where each library’s situation is potentially different. For California, the data probably represent the situation only of the 15 or so libraries represented in the room plus some additional input received via email. For details of actual connectivity in all three states, please see the original focus group reports.

Please note the role of Regional Cooperatives connecting libraries when and if the regional library accept this as a role. Some do and some don’t.

Categories

California

Missouri

Ohio

Network

No statewide network. Each library makes its own arrangement. Some regional cooperatives provide network services. Some don’t. Speed ranges from a fractional T-1 to DS3 and fiber.

Everybody on MOREnet. Get a T-1 to main library and all branches. More if needed. Local libraries connect main to branches.

All public libraries are on OPLIN for a T-1 to the main library. OPLIN is on the state network. Libraries buy connections for the branches from wherever they can get it.

Source of connectivity

Private industry, telecom, cable

MOREnet does all the negotiating with private industry now. Will RFP a BIG fiber connection between KC and St. Louis. Expect the Show Me Electric Company to get the contract

OPLIN use the state network. Local libraries get additional connectivity from AT&T and Time Warner or wherever. Some get a free cable wireless connection.

Funding

VariesWhere the regional cooperative delivers the network, funding is through membership fees for administration and payment for the line.Where there is no regional cooperative, libraries get connectivity where they can, paying through their own budget or free from cable.E-rate

State funding through State LibraryState funding through direct MOREnet allocationLocal funds for some extra connectionsErate

OPLIN rides on state linesLocal fundsE-rateFree from cable

Scalability

Regional cooperatives try and meet the need when it’s identified.Local libraries try and buy more if they have the money and if higher speed is available

MOREnet monitors usage in all libraries.Libraries report that MOREnet calls them and tells them when they need additional bandwidth and then provides it.Cost ranges from $600 per year to $20,000 per year depending on the size of the library.

OPLIN monitors usage.Local libraries contact OPLIN if they want more bandwidth OR they buy it locally.

What do you use your bandwidth for?There was great commonality among the libraries on usage of current bandwidth. This needs to be compared with what they would offer and what they cannot now offer. At least one library is offering each of these but not all libraries are offering all of them. This is just a representative sample of what is being offered now.

{{| border="1"
|-
|Categories||California||Missouri||Ohio
|-
|Internet||General searchingE-mailSocial networks such asUtube, gamesMySpace, FacebookAudio-visual downloads||Same plus blogs||Same“People come to the library to get high speed access even if they have it at home.”
|-
|Training||Video-conferencingInfo-people trainingDistance learning||Same||Same“People come to learn how to use technology and then continue to use at the library.”
|-
|Library operations||VOIPILS, local and sharedMonitoring library operationsHVAC, Security, LightingOnline ILL||Same||ILS 70% in one stateSame
|-
|Resources||E-booksE-government (government is putting more online and less in print.Public libraries have to supply the information.)Remote access to catalogRemote access to databasesOnline job applicationsGIS||Same||Same
|-
|Wireless||Wireless||Same||Same
|-
|Broadcast/Podcast||Podcasts||||
|-
|}